Every year the award is presented to an emergency manager whose work has benefitted local as well as statewide preparedness, response, recovery and mitigation efforts -- something Wagstaff has been doing since taking the post in 2006.  

During his tenure he has handled multiple responsibilities and duties during wildfires, tornadoes, floods and other severe weather that delivered nine federal disaster declarations. He also provided emergency management support for the Lawton Trench Collapse in November 2008, Cyril Furniture Store Fire in December 2008 and during the Spirit of Survival Marathon in October 2008.  Wagstaff also serves as OEMA Southwest Area Vice President.  

He is quick to offer assistance to a neighboring town, city or county. Whether a wildfire, flood, tornado or other type of disaster or incident, Wagstaff will drop everything and respond to the aid of a fellow emergency manager or community in need of assistance. Moreover, this Southwest Oklahoma emergency manager is also dedicated to the need for public information efforts during both disaster and non-disaster times.  

“Clint Wagstaff has made many contributions to Oklahoma emergency management but seldom stops to take any credit,” explained OEMA President and Oklahoma County Emergency Management Director David Barnes. “He has established a first rate department by networking and building very strong working relationships with multiple agencies in various jurisdictions with many levels of authority and government throughout southwest Oklahoma,” he added. 

Others honored were: Beaver County Commissioners Richard Cowen, Brad Raven and CJ Rose with the Public Officials Award; and Ron Flanagan, with Flanagan & Associates with the Outstanding Contributor to Emergency Management Award. 

Additionally, Oklahoma Certified Emergency Manager (OCEM) certifications were awarded to the following Oklahoma emergency managers:

Oklahoma County Emergency Management Director David Barnes;

Mayes County Assistant Emergency Management Director Michael Dunham;

Oklahoma State University Emergency Management Coordinator Ron Hill;

Mayes County Emergency Management Director John Janzen;

Pocola Emergency Management Director John Limbocker;

University of Central Oklahoma Emergency Management Coordinator Norman Nievas;

Cushing Emergency Management Director Bob Noltensmeyer;

Osage County Emergency Management Director Howard M “Mike” Pattison;

Yukon Emergency Management Director Frosty Peak; and,

William S. “Steve” Gluck, CBRNE Specialist/Disaster Preparedness Officer, United States Army/Ft. Sill. 

The following emergency managers renewed their OCEM certification:

Custer County Emergency Management Director Mike Galloway;

University of Health Sciences Center Deputy Emergency Management Director William Gebur;

Ada-Pontotoc County Emergency Management Director Chad Letellier;

Kingfisher-Kingfisher County Emergency Management Director Steve Loftis;

Sperry Emergency Management Director Michael Smith;

Eufaula-McIntosh County Emergency Management Director Harry Trottier;

Tahlequah-Cherokee County Emergency Management Director Gary Dotson;

Tahlequah-Cherokee County Assistant Emergency Management Director Larry “Mike” Underwood; and,

Tahlequah-Cherokee County Emergency Management Command Team Members Steve Ford, Daniel L. Gross and Marsha Gross.  

“These individuals represent some of Oklahoma’s and the nation’s best emergency management efforts,” said Barnes. “They make a difference by helping to save lives and protect property before, during and after emergencies and disasters.”  

The OEMA event was held in conjunction with the Annual Emergency Management Conference, sponsored in part by the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management.